Afghanistan vs. Australia – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Virtual Quarterfinal Preview

 

File: Maxwell, Smith, Rashid Khan, M Nabi credit-ICC

Overview

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 9th match is to be played between Australia and Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The match will be played on February 28, 2025, and it will be a day-and-night game.

Currently, Australia is at no. 2 with 3 points in Group B, just behind South Africa courtesy of their better net run rate, followed by Afghanistan at no. 3 with 2 points and England at no. 4. Australia beat England in their 1st game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where their 2nd game against South Africa was washed out. Afghanistan had lost their 1st game against South Africa but bounced back in their last game as they beat England and eliminated them from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

So, this match holds a significant importance for both teams. The winner of this match will qualify for the semifinals, whereas the loser will almost be eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

In this article, we will discuss the Squads and key players for both sides, Pitch and weather, Head to Head record and match predictions.

Team News 

Australia and Afghanistan both have well-settled teams, having won their last games, so both the teams are expected to maintain their winning 11 without any changes.

Head to Head Record and recent performances

Afghanistan and Australia have faced each other 4 times in ODI's and Australia have won all the 4 games. Their most recent ODI encounter was in the ODI World Cup 2023, where Maxwell played one the best knocks in the history of ODI Cricket and scored a magnificent double hundred despite suffering from a hamstring injury as he won it for Australia single-handedly. Australia was 91/7 while chasing 292 when Maxwell played one hell of a knock and took his team over the line. Maxwell scored 201 runs on that day with the help of 21 fours and 10 sixes.

Photo: Glenn Maxwell credit-ICC

If we look at the recent performances, Afghanistan has won two out of their last 3 games, whereas Australia has won 1 game in their last 3 games, although their last game was washed out.

Key Players to Watch

Australia

• Steve Smith

Steve Smith is Australia's most reliable batter in this squad; he is one of the finest cricketers in the world right now. In the last game, he got out very cheaply. Though Aussies will be hoping for a better show from their captain and star batter in the most important clash.

• Josh Inglis

Josh Inglis played a high-quality match-winning knock against England as he scored a quick 120 runs off just 86 balls. He looked in sublime form that day. Aussies will be hoping that their inform batter goes big again in the all-important knockout clash.

    Photo: Josh Inglis credit-ICC

• Travis Head

One of the most destructive batters in the world right now is Travis Head. He got early against England, but he is a genuine match-winner. His Knock in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is still remembered as one of the best knocks in the finals of ICC events. He will be one of the key players for Australia in this contest.

Afghanistan

• Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is one of the best leg spinners in the world right now. He has vast experience of playing across the world. He is the most important member of the Afghanistan team. In the last few games, his performance is not up to the mark that he has set for himself, but everyone knows that he is a champions bowler, so Afghanistan will be hoping for their magician to be back to his best in this all-important clash.

• Ibrahim Zadran

Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran is in fine form; in the last match against England, he played a record-breaking knock of 177, which eventually led Afghanistan to a famous win. Afghanistan will be hoping for their in-form batter to go big again to provide them a base for scoring a big total again.

    Photo: Ibrahim Zadran credit-ICC

• Azmat Ullah Omerzai

Azmat Ullah Omerzai is a fine all-rounder who is very skillful with both bat and ball. In the last match, he was also one of the main architects for  Afghanistan's victory over England. He scored a quick 41 off 31 balls and with the ball got a wickets haul. This is top-class performance. Afghanistan will hope for their star all-rounder to be at his very best in this important clash.

Pitch and conditions

This is the same venue where the last match between Afghanistan and England was played yesterday. It was a high-scoring match as the wicket was very decent to bat. So, once again, we are expecting a high-scoring match between two very good sides. The spinners will get good purchase from the track. Rain is also expected in this match, but we hope it will not affect the final result, and we will get a full game- fingers crossed.

Match Predictions

Australia is always a strong team in the ICC events, so having a strong history backing them and a good batting depth, they are entering into this contest as a favorite. But Afghanistan is a really good side as they eliminated England Yesterday. So, Australia needs to be careful while playing the virtual quarterfinal because they are against a side that has made a habit of shocking the world in the ICC events.

    Photo: Australian team credit-ICC

So, what do you think, which team will come on top in this encounter? And let us know your thoughts in the comments.